Southampton Neighborhood Association
Established March 22, 1903
- Home
- FAQ/Resource Guide
- Beyond the Blue Bin
Beyond the Blue Bin
Move beyond the blue bin and find ways to recycle materials to keep them out of the landfill. Not all of these products harm the environment or pose a threat to human health. Learn about available and safe disposal methods here in the St Louis area.
Latex Paint - Not Hazardous
Latex paint is not considered hazardous. Here's the strategy proposed by area recycling experts. First try to find others who can use the paint. Offer it free to neighbors, friends, family or try social media platforms like Nextdoor. Still no takers? Decide if you want to pay a recycling fee to keep it out of the landfill or if you want to dry the paint and dispose of it.
Recycle it to keep it out of the landfill. This is only for residents who will pay the full cost of the recycling--$0.25 per pound or about $1 for a half-full gallon can of latex pain. You will need to make a reservation--either on-line or St. Louis City residents without Internet access, can call the Citizens Service Bureau (314) 622-4800. Make sure to tell the CSB you need a reservation to dispose of latex paint.
Drying it completely makes it safe to dispose of in the regular trash (not the blue or green bins). You can do this by adding an absorbent or a paint hardener (commonly found in retail locations selling paint) to the paint can. Other absorbents are non-clumping cat litter, sand or sawdust. The paint must be completely dry before disposing with your household trash. If you want to recycle the paint can: Line a cardboard box with newspaper and begin adding paint and absorbent material; mix well; repeat as needed. Let the mixture dry away from heat, children and pet. (This may take several hours or days to dry completely.) When the paint has completely dried, dispose of with your household trash. The paint can must be completely free of paint and dry and can be recycled in the blue bin.
Those @#$#% Yard Signs
Much more prevalent in political campaign season, the corrugated yard signs and their accompanying "H" stakes can appear even outside those campaigns. (NOTE: If you are irritated by any SOHA/Southampton signs or if one hasn't been picked up after an event, please Contact Us!) These signs and stakes should not be placed in the Blue Bins/Carts for City recycling. If you want to go beyond the blue bin for responsible recycling, here's how.
Use Contact Us to receive a SOHA drop-off address for signs and for metal sign stakes. The signs will be bundled in groups of 25. Central Paper Storage will be contacted (314) 521-8686 for a drop off time and a SNA volunteer (if you want to volunteer, start here) will take the signs to CPS for recycling. Metal stakes will either be reused or dropped off at a metal scrapper. NOTE: SNA will not accept signs outside of the Southampton neighborhood.
Soft Plastic Film
Soft plastic film recycling is not done in the blue bin! What is soft plastic film?
Examples include
- Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread and dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)
- Zip-top food storage bags (clean and dry)
- Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate)
- Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers and female sanitary products
- Furniture and electronic wrap
- Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears like paper, do not include)
Do not include:
- Degradable/compostable bags or film packaging
- Pre-washed salad mix bags
- Frozen food bags
- Candy bar wrappers
- Chip bags
- Six-Ring Packs
Remember, do not recycle this material in your bin.